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CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Among ‘World’s Most Ethical Companies’ For Seventh Consecutive Year

Posted on 2019-02-26
Updated on 2019-02-25 15:45:33

The company is just one of four health insurers honored in 2019

Baltimore — CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst), the mid-Atlantic region’s largest health insurer, has been named by the Ethisphere Institute as one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies” in 2019. This year’s honor marks the seventh consecutive year CareFirst has been recognized for its commitment to leading ethical business standards and practices.

CareFirst is one of just four companies representing the health insurance industry on the list of 128 organizations spanning 21 countries and 50 industries. CareFirst was recognized for its corporate culture, business integrity and industry leadership in accountability, transparency and corporate social responsibility.

“We are deeply honored to receive this distinctive award for a seventh consecutive year in recognition of our commitment to conducting our business with the highest standards of ethics and integrity,” said CareFirst President and CEO Brian D. Pieninck. “Living our values is woven into our culture and allows us to be our best in support of our members, the broader communities we serve, and our not-for-profit mission.”

This year marks the 13th time Ethisphere, an organization that identifies and promotes leading ethical business practices, has honored companies that recognize their role in society to influence and drive positive change, and use their values and culture as an underpinning to the decisions they make every day.

“Today, employees, investors and stakeholders are putting their greatest trust in companies to take leadership on societal issues. Companies that take the long view with a purpose-based strategy are proven to not only outperform but last,” said Ethisphere CEO Timothy Erblich. “I congratulate everyone at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield for earning this recognition.”

In compiling this year’s list, Ethisphere scored nominees in five key categories, including:

Ethics and compliance program;

Corporate citizenship and responsibility;

Culture of ethics;

Governance; and,

Leadership and reputation.

“We’re thrilled to be recognized yet again for our commitment to ethical behavior and corporate governance,” said P. Todd Cioni, CareFirst Vice President and Chief Compliance, Ethics and Privacy Officer. “This recognition highlights our company-wide dedication to a strong ethical corporate culture where our associates act with dignity and honesty on a daily basis.”

The full list of the 2019 “World’s Most Ethical Companies” can be found here.

About Ethisphere

The Ethisphere® Institute is the global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices that fuel corporate character, marketplace trust and business success. Ethisphere has deep expertise in measuring and defining core ethics standards using data-driven insights that help companies enhance corporate character. Ethisphere honors superior achievement through its World’s Most Ethical Companies recognition program and provides a community of industry experts with the Business Ethics Leadership Alliance (BELA). More information about Ethisphere can be found at: https://ethisphere.com.

About CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield

In its 82nd year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit health care company which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to 3.2 million individuals and groups in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia. In 2018, CareFirst invested $38 million to improve overall health, and increase the accessibility, affordability, safety and quality of health care throughout its market areas. To learn more about CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, visit our website at www.carefirst.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram.

Serving Maryland, the District of Columbia and portions of Virginia, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield is the shared business name of CareFirst of Maryland, Inc. and Group Hospitalization and Medical Services, Inc. In the District of Columbia and Maryland, CareFirst MedPlus is the business name of First Care, Inc. In Virginia, CareFirst MedPlus is the business name of First Care, Inc. of Maryland (Used in VA by: First Care, Inc.). First Care, Inc., CareFirst of Maryland, Inc., Group Hospitalization and Medical Services, Inc., CareFirst BlueChoice, Inc. and The Dental Network are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. The Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® and the Cross and Shield Symbols are registered service marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.

CareFirst of Maryland, Inc. and The Dental Network underwrite products in Maryland only.

“World’s Most Ethical Companies” and “Ethisphere” names and marks are registered trademarks of Ethisphere LLC.